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The Voluntary Register

“As a one parent family I have embraced the opportunity to link with others, to grow beyond my family and our family, but to welcome - my son’s family. My son’s family was made with love and hope. The love came from the parents and the hope came from our donor. As a group of parents we consciously chose to seek connection in the belief that it is in the best interest of our children. Our children all shared a common bond - our donor. My son's family has grown beyond he and I and this has enriched his and my life.” Anna

The Voluntary Register allows people who have been involved in donor conception in Victoria at any time to voluntarily lodge information about themselves and their wishes in order to exchange information with other people on the Voluntary Register.

The Voluntary Register works differently from the Central Register; if two or more applicants are matched on the Voluntary Register, they are each contacted and can exchange information if they wish. It enables donor-conceived people to connect with others who have been created by the same donor (donor siblings). It also allows parents to connect with other parents who have used the same donor. These connections are not possible via a Central Register application.

If there is no corresponding match on the Voluntary Register then the first applicant will need to wait until another person with whom they are linked applies.

VARTA will need sufficient information that parties are related to be able to match people on the Voluntary Register. This is usually done using a donor code. Unfortunately, if existing records are poor or have been destroyed it may not be possible to link parties on the Voluntary Register.

Fee for Voluntary Register applications

There is no charge to apply to the Voluntary Register.

Who can apply?

donor-conceived people aged 18 years and older who wish to connect with donor siblings (other people conceived by the same donor) and/or their donor

parents who wish to connect with other parents who have used the same donor and/or their donor

donors who are open to providing information to their offspring, or the parents who were treated with their donation, but do not want to approach them directly via the Central Register. This might be because they are concerned their offspring may be unaware they are donor–conceived or may not be ready to have contact

relatives and descendants of all of the above.

Applicants may match with any of the people above. As donors can be used to donate to up to ten women, it is also possible that an applicant matches with a number of people who are already in contact with each other.

An applicant can decide what information they wish to lodge. This can include information about:

medical history

family tree and cultural heritage

interests, hobbies and personality

photographs, letters, videos etc.

anything else the applicant would like to share that is able to be stored safely at VARTA

Information will only be shared according to individuals' wishes.

How to apply

Complete the application form. Please note donor-conceived siblings from the same family may wish to apply at the same time if they share the same donor. Parents may also prefer to submit a joint application.

If there is no corresponding link on the Voluntary Register, then the first applicant will need to wait until another person they are linked with applies. As the numbers of people who apply to the register grows, there are likely to be more matches. If an applicant can be located, they will be notified when a match is identified.

It is important to inform VARTA of any change to your contact details, so that you can be notified if and when there is a match.

It is also important to inform VARTA if there is new health or medical information relating to you or your immediate family which could be important for someone with whom you may be linked.

The information can remain on the register for as long as the applicant wishes and can be passed to another matched applicant after someone has died with their pre-arranged consent.

Sometimes it is not possible to link parties on the Voluntary Register if the records are poor or have been destroyed and there is no record of a donor code or evidence to substantiate a link between parties.

Some people have been able to find their donors or people conceived by the same donor (donor-siblings) via DNA testing and social networks. VARTA is not able to provide DNA testing to establish matches on the Voluntary Register. However, we can support you and any person who with whom you believe you are connected through this process.

The Statement of reasons forms are exchanged with the other matched parties. The VARTA counsellor shares information which the applicants have agreed to release and offers support to each party during the early stages of contact and beyond.

Privacy and disclosure of information

VARTA is responsible for the management of the Voluntary Register under the Assisted Reproductive Treatment Act 2008 (Vic) (the Act). VARTA will only collect, use, and release information in accordance with the provisions of this Act, the Privacy and Data Protection Act 2014 (Vic), the Health Records Act 2001 (Vic) and the Freedom of Information Act 1982 (Vic).

Your information will only be disclosed to an individual with whom you are linked in accordance with your expressed wishes. No other parties will have access to your information without your consent. If you choose not to provide information on the application form, it may be difficult for VARTA to place your information on the Voluntary Register or to match you with another person on the register.

You may request that VARTA correct or amend information on the Voluntary Register at any time. You may access your information at any time by a request to VARTA.

Tip

Linking on the Voluntary Register is often easier than connecting via the Central Register as you know from the beginning that people have come forward and applied because they want to – it’s voluntary. Sometimes, however, a Voluntary Register match doesn’t go ahead because the match may not occur at the right time for someone. It is OK to delay and then proceed in the future when life is less hectic.

About

VARTA provides independent information and support for individuals, couples, and health professionals on fertility, infertility, assisted reproductive treatment (ART) and the best interests of children born.